An Invercargill woman scammed the Government of more than $125,000 by not telling the Ministry of Social Development she was living with her partner.
Sherylanne Wood (57) appeared in the Invercargill District Court yesterday, where she was sentenced to home detention on two representatives charges of dishonestly using documents, two charges of dishonestly using documents and one charge of obtaining money by deception over a period of seven years.
Prosecutor for the Ministry of Social Development Milton Sperring said the MSD was not seeking reparation as it would use its recovery powers to recoup some of the $125,481 overpayment.
On September 2010, Wood applied for a sickness benefit, accommodation supplement, disability allowance and temporary additional support.
When she signed the application for the benefit, she agreed to immediately advise the ministry if there were any changes to her circumstances that might affect her entitlement to the benefit - including if she started or ended a relationship similar to marriage.
After inquiries were made, it was established Wood lied to the ministry on several occasions. Firstly, she did not advise the ministry she was living with her partner from November 5, 2010, to July 29, 2018.
Also, when she sought temporary additional support - paid to beneficiaries who indicate they are in exceptional financial need - she did not inform the ministry her partner and other flatmates were contributing to her household costs.
Additionally, because Wood had a disability, she was entitled to paid assistance to maintain the grounds of her home - she arranged for her partner to carry out these services.
Wood took up employment as a pamphlet delivery person while saying to the ministry she was unable to carry out her own garden work. She failed to declare all of those earnings.
During the investigation, she said she had been living with her partner since November 5, 2010, and that she had not declared this to the ministry as they could not afford to live off his wages.
Judge Tom Gilbert sentenced Wood to 12 months' home detention.
